Morris Minor Owners Club

Hey everyone,
I’m curious — is anyone still using their Morris Minor as their main daily driver these days? I’ve been thinking about driving mine to work regularly instead of keeping it just for weekends.
Retro Bowl
I’d love to know how practical it is for you in modern traffic — especially when it comes to reliability, comfort, and fuel economy. Any tips or small upgrades that make daily use easier?
Thanks!

Well, I don't literally drive my Morris 'daily', but it has been my only car for decades. It depends on how much travelling you have to do. But don't forget, back in the day, these cars were 'daily drivers' for hundreds and thousands of folk. People have got addicted to speed, excessive comfort and unnecessary gadgets - and traffic and driving standards have got worse. Just accept these cars for what they are and enjoy. Fuel economy? I get 41/2 miles per gallon. Comfort? I find the old bucket seats comfortable enough. Reliability? Well, don't forget how old these cars are now and everything will fail at some point. They may also have been neglected by previous owners, so anything can go wrong at any time. But a well-maintained Minor in good condition is reliable. They were renowned for it in their day.
Regular use is good - lots of posts over the years about cars that won't start or have some other problem after being laid up over winter etc.
Daily driver is perfectly feasible - if you have the right mindset.

My Morris is the second car of the household and it is used frequently without hesitation unless it is a long distance work related trip when there is no time for leisurely progress. As to tweaks I would argue that for frequent use (rather than occasional use to a few car shows a year) these safety-related modifications should be seriously considered:

1) Hazard warning light system and carry a warning triangle and high visibility waistcoat.
2) Inertia reel seatbelts
3) Conventional flashing indicators (amber) if the car only has semaphore indicators
4) Modern radial tyres

Other modifications may improve comfort and ease of driving but are not mission critical but that's just my personal opinion.

Stephen

I bought my '69 Traveller specifically to use as a daily driver.
It is pretty much bog standard, the one concession to modernity being LED bulbs in the indicators, stop/tail, sidelight and number plate lamps. I fitted period correct inertia seat belts and a previous owner had fitted a lead free cylinder head and stainless exhaust. It sits on a set of Blockley 145 radials.
I carry a minimum of tools, plugs, points, condenser, bypass hose and a pre stretched fan belt.
Mine is used several times a week, and is no stranger to central Cambridge and Peterborough, and feels fine cruising along the M11 and A14.

Oh, and I get high 30's to low 40's mpg on E10 unleaded.

Following this with interest as if I do get a Morris Minor I plan to use it as a daily… although when I say that I work from home, so it’ll be more ‘pottering about’ than commuting. I’ll be keeping my modern car for long trips.
I suppose it can very much depend on the area where you live. Some places will probably be more ‘moggy friendly’ than others

Although I am now retired, I had used my Traveller every working day since 1979 except for when she was off the road during wood replacement in the 1990's. She only let me down twice in all that time. Once the gearbox seized and once when a half shaft broke. She is still used occasionally and is in semi-retirement like me.

My traveller shares daily duty with a 1985 Citroen BX GT (the newest vehicle I own) but, as I'm retired, doesn't do a lot of miles. The time it's had off the road has mainly been down to me fiddling and improving with only one real breakdown - a broken half shaft.

just bought a 64 rebuilt traveller as second/third car,

it will be used most days,
apart from the longer trips and leaving it in some dodgy areas,

I don't own a modern car, though I have use of my wife's much of the time. I find around town the Minor is just as good as a modern car. Most speed limits are 30/40 around here, so an old car is no handicap! A few upgrades as mentioned could be useful.

Meggie is as such a daily driver as she is our only car other than a works van, I do not need much of an excuse to take her out rain or shine and she is regularly seen carrying 4 people or loaded up with my wife's craft show display and stock.
I tend to avoid motorways but will go on if needs must. As with others hazard lights have been fitted also high level tail and brake lights.